South East Midlands

SEMLEP is an area with a £39 billion economy, over 75,000 businesses and a population of 1.8m. It includes 11 local authorities: four unitary councils (Luton, Central Bedfordshire, Bedford Borough and Milton Keynes) plus seven second-tier Councils (Corby, Kettering, Daventry, Northampton, South Northants, Aylesbury Vale and Cherwell)

SEMLEP overlaps with three other LEPs (Northamptonshire, Bucks Thames Valley and Oxfordshire) – all the second tier Councils are in more than one LEP. The SEM has identified areas of additional need for support in Luton, Corby, Bedford, Central Bedfordshire and Northampton.

This area will benefit from £3,600,000 of Building better Opportunities funding.

Enterprising People

This project makes self-employment and social entrepreneurship achievable options for people who are unemployed or economically inactive. Those taking part will be supported in developing, launching and sustaining effective organisations. As well as help in assessing and refining the viability of the product or service, support is available with legal requirements, managing cashflow, and sales and marketing for the business.

Support to Understand Your Money (SUM)

Support to Understand your Money (SUM) helps participants to develop their financial capabilities, manage the impact of welfare reform and address the root causes of poverty. The programme will enable participants to understand their financial responsibilities and how they can enhance their prospects and manage their resources. Alongside ongoing mentoring, participants will have the chance to take part in training sessions on money management, IT, benefits and employability skills. As a result of the support provided through the programme participants will have made progress on their journey to addressing their own personal needs which will then allow them to start the journey to look for work and move into work.